14 Best GIF Makers [Desktop, Online & Mobile]

To make a GIF, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.

  2. Add the video to the program.

  3. Choose a fragment.

  4. Choose GIF as the output format and convert files.

Edited by
Ben Jacklin
31,302

Key takeaways

  • I tested 14 GIF makers across desktop, online, and mobile platforms, including tools like Movavi Video Converter, GIMP, Kapwing, Veed.io, ImgPlay, and more.
  • Some programs are feature-rich but harder to learn (like GIMP), while others are lightweight and quick for one-off projects (like Kapwing or ScreenToGif).
  • Choosing the right tool depends on whether you want creative control, speed, or mobile convenience.
  • Keep your GIFs short and under 10 seconds for smoother playback and faster sharing across apps.

Did you know that the first GIF was created back in 1987? That makes it older than Google, YouTube, and even me, struggling to send my first text message on a Nokia. Fast-forward to today, and GIFs are everywhere—in chats, on social media, even sneaking into work emails when words just don’t cut it.

I’ve spent time testing a wide range of GIF makers. Some made the process ridiculously easy, while others tested my patience.

After trying them all, I’ve pulled together a list of the ones that stood out the most. Whether you’re on Mac, PC, Android, or iOS, there’s something here that can turn your videos and images into shareable, eye-catching GIFs.

My top picks

Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
When I tested Movavi, I was impressed with its balance of speed, editing tools, and ease of use. I could quickly turn clips into GIFs, tweak subtitles, and adjust effects without a steep learning curve. It felt like the most reliable all-rounder.

Best free budget software: GIMP
When I tested GIMP, I liked that it offered advanced editing features without costing a cent. It’s not the fastest tool, but the flexibility makes it a strong free option.

Best for mobile users: ImgPlay
It felt smooth and fun to use on my phone. Shooting clips directly in the app and adding filters made it easy to create polished GIFs on the go.

Best lightweight tool: Piskel
Piskel stood out when I wanted to make pixel-art style GIFs. It’s simple, runs in the browser, and onion skinning made frame-by-frame animation much easier.

Best for beginners: ScreenToGif
I picked ScreenToGif here because the workflow was straightforward. Recording part of my screen and instantly turning it into a GIF made the process beginner-friendly. The editor has plenty of features, but I never felt overwhelmed while using it.

Comparison table for the best GIF software tools

Software

How do I create a GIF?

Platforms available

Compatibility

Download

Upload a video, trim it, and convert it into GIF format

Windows, macOS

Desktop

Edit images frame by frame, then export as GIF

Windows, macOS, Linux

Desktop

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  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.

  • When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.

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Best GIF editor software

Going with GIF editor software rather than the online or app route gave me a healthy set of features right on my desktop. Download it once, install it, and you have reliable GIF creation software at your fingertips, with no need to be connected to the internet. The software is also designed to integrate into whichever system I use, creating an optimal experience.

If you’re looking for a GIF maker to download or a good GIF-editing program, I found these GIF editors for Windows, macOS, and more, the most optimal:

1. Movavi Video Converter

Why I picked it: I liked how versatile it was. It’s not just a converter but also a reliable GIF-making tool with plenty of editing features.

Operating systems: Windows and macOS

Best for: Batch conversion & ability to convert files to 180+ formats

When I tested the latest edition of Movavi Video Converter, I found that it was much more than just a powerful piece of GIF-making software. As the name suggests, it’s a dynamic tool for video conversion that allows you to convert video and media files at warp speed and transfer that video to any platform or device. I was also able to extract audio and images from videos with a click. Once I had what I needed, I simply rotated, cropped, and merged the video, all in the same place, which makes it a stellar GIF-making program as well.

How to make a GIF with Movavi Video Converter

  1. First, download, install, and launch the software.
  2. Drag and drop the source video into the program.
  3. Click Edit and use the tools on the Trim tab to delete all the unnecessary fragments.
  4. Then hit Save and Close.
  5. From the Images tab, select GIF as the target format and choose an appropriate preset.
  6. To create a GIF, click Convert.

For more details, read the article linked below:

How to convert video to GIF with Movavi Video Converter

Ratings

4.7/5

Pros:

  • Very quickly convert to over 180 formats

  • Batch conversion

  • Editing and conversion in one place

  • Intuitive interface

  • 200+ presets that cover all popular devices

  • Over 40 adjustable, realistic effects

Cons:

  • Can’t convert GIFs by URL

2. GIMP

Why I picked it: I liked that it gave me professional-level image editing tools for free, and that it was powerful enough to handle GIF creation too.

Operating systems: Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux

Best for: Comprehensive image editing

GIMP has been around for well over two decades, making it an old standby as far as software goes. For those wondering, GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, and as such, it’s first and foremost an image editor. As far as comparisons go, I think of it as being similar to Adobe Photoshop. Because GIFs are essentially just animated images, GIMP is a stellar piece of freeware for creating and editing them and one of the better free GIF editors out there.

Ratings

3.5/5

4.5/5

Pros:

  • Very refined image editing tools

  • Simple process for creating GIFs (see FAQs)

  • Open-source (free) GIF maker

  • New in version 3.1.4: link layers and vector layers

Cons:

  • Complex program to learn

  • Not as intuitive and can be confusing

  • Slow performance with large files

3. SSuite Gif Animator

Why I picked it: It’s lightweight, easy to install, and lets me create GIFs without dealing with a steep learning curve.

Operating system: Windows

Best for: Simple interface

SSuite Gif Animator is straightforward, no-frills, free GIF editor software. With very little learning curve, I was up and running, creating GIFs, slide shows, and even basic videos with a few clicks. For those looking for simplicity, it doesn’t get simpler than this GIF maker software, which is free to download for PC and takes almost no space on the computer. Designed as green software, it’s made to use the least resources on systems, too.

Ratings

3/5

Pros:

  • Works on both 32- and 64-bit systems

  • Creates GIFs quickly

  • Unfussy user interface

  • No registration

  • Has an online edition in case you don’t want to download

Cons:

  • Takes some time to learn to use effectively

  • Not many functions I had control over

  • Only supports JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP images

  • Unavailable on other operating systems

  • Lacks wide user reviews, though declared trusted software by Softonic

Quick summary

  1. Editor’s choice: Movavi Video Converter

  2. For comprehensive image editing: GIMP

  3. For those looking for simplicity: SSuite Gif Animator

4. GiftedMotion

Why I picked it: I went with GiftedMotion because it’s tiny and portable, and it lets me create GIFs without even installing it.

Operating systems: Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux

Best for: Users who want to save hard drive space. The app comes as a JAR file, so no installation is necessary

With GIF right in the name, GiftedMotion exists for one reason: to help creators make GIFs with ease. Developed by Onyxbits and also small in size, this, too, is free GIF-making software. As I’ve seen them mention on their site, in creating GiftedMotion, they take the KISS approach (“keep it simple, stupid”) and offer up a painless GIF-creating experience.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Essentially no learning curve

  • Has a preview function

  • No need for installation, only requires adding the JAR to your desktop (requires Java)

Cons:

  • Doesn’t support formats other than JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP

  • Slow to load large files

  • No recent updates; development appears to be stalled

5. ScreenToGif

Why I picked it: It creates GIFs using a screen recorder, which is a handy way to capture exactly what you need.

Operating system: Windows

Best for: Creating GIFs by recording what’s on your screen

ScreenToGif is a pretty nifty and clever program that allows me to create GIFs by recording my screen, using my webcam, or using a sketchboard. Upon trying it, I realized I could turn what I was looking at on-screen into a GIF in minutes. With basic editing controls built in, I was able to add the cuts I needed and manipulate frames. It’s also possible to add an existing video or image to an existing project. It’s another GIF maker that’s free to download.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Screen recorder lets me choose which part of the screen to record rather than the entire thing

  • Export to GIF, APNG, video, image, PSD, or a ScreenToGif project

  • Available in 24 languages

  • Open-source and available as portable, so installing isn’t required

Cons:

  • A little bit of a learning curve

  • Only available on Windows

And there we have it—some of the best GIF maker software out there, including GIF makers for Windows, Mac, or Linux to cover all bases.

I discovered that GIF editor software varies widely in complexity and functionality. When considering GIF-making software, I considered what I really needed and my level of skill, given that some require more time to learn than others. Luckily, I was able to find anything from animation GIF freeware and more premium programs to fit all sorts of requirements.

Best GIF makers online

Perhaps some people don’t make enough GIFs to warrant downloading GIF-making software free or otherwise, and that’s fair enough. But for me, I sometimes want the convenience of jumping onto a website and using a GIF maker that’s fully online. For making GIFs online, I handpicked the services below.

6. Piskel

Why I picked it: I chose Piskel because it’s a fun, lightweight tool that makes pixel-style GIFs easy to create, despite the fact that I’ve never animated before.

Best for: Creating pixel art

OS: Web version; Windows, macOS, Linux

Likely the most unique GIF maker on this list, Piskel is focused on pixel art, which the name hints at. Think along the lines of old-school Mega Man graphics. I was able to create “sprites,” as they call them, in their free online editor. They also offer a downloadable, offline version, which is particularly convenient.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Online and offline versions – offline works for Windows, macOS, and Linux

  • Live preview of your animation as you make it

  • Open-source

  • Multiple export options (GIF, sprite sheet, Piskel format)

Cons:

  • Can only upload pictures

  • Really only meant for that 8-bit sort of look

  • Ad pop-ups can be distracting, often leading people to look for Piskel alternatives

7. GIPHY

Why I picked it: It’s one of the largest GIF libraries online.

Best for: Creating GIFs with clips from social media platforms

OS: Any, web-based

GIPHY is a leading GIF platform that delivers 10+ billion pieces of its content—GIFs, stickers, arcade, video, and more—to over 700 million people around the world. During testing, I could browse through an endless collection of ready-made GIFs for inspiration or quick use. However, even with seemingly endless GIFs, I couldn’t always find what I was looking for, but it’s still undoubtedly among the top free GIF animators online.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Simple uploading module to create GIFs

  • Quite a bit to add to edit video and images, like animated captions, stickers, filters, and more

  • Can make GIFs with clips from YouTube, Vimeo, and many, many others

  • Seemingly never-ending supply of already-made GIFs

Cons:

  • Search can be tedious due to the abundance of content

  • Accepted formats for upload are only JPG, PNG, GIF, MPF, and MOV

  • GIFs can only be 15 seconds long

8. Imgur

Why I picked it: It’s easy to use, and I could make longer GIFs than most other online tools allow.

Best for: Creating GIFs up to 60 seconds long

OS: Any, web-based

Launched in 2009, Imgur is another well-known online GIF maker. With a reach of over 250 million people per month and billions of views, the app is so familiar to me that I likely crossed paths with content that was generated here. In fact, Imgur is one of Alexa's top 15-ranked sites.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Easy to use – click new post, then “video to GIF”, add your URL, and trim

  • Also has a huge database of community-generated content

  • No need to make an account to use

  • Can make GIFs up to 60 seconds long

Cons:

  • Limited file types supported for upload

  • Editing features are not particularly robust

  • Load times can vary

9. Ezgif

Why I picked it: I liked Ezgif because it does exactly what I need without extra clutter. It’s purpose-built for making GIFs.

Best for: Loading up to 2,000 images

OS: Any, web-based

Ezgif is much more like the free GIF maker software I reviewed above in that it's purpose-built for that, whereas GIPHY and Imgur have a community aspect. With Ezgif, I simply uploaded my files and made a GIF. It very much lives up to its name in that sense.

Ratings

Pros:

  • A high ease of use and no need for much tech-savvy

  • Supports more formats than other online options; GIF, JPG, PNG, APNG, HEIC, MNG, FLIF, AVIF, WebP, and others

  • Can handle up to 2,000 files

  • Has a “tips” section, which offers great advice

Cons:

  • Not many options for manipulating images

10. Kapwing

Why I picked it: I chose Kapwing because it’s fast, runs fully online, and gives me creative control without installing software.

Best for: Browser-based editing with text, stickers, and effects

OS: Any, web-based

With Kapwing, I quickly turned both videos and images into GIFs right from my browser. I could trim clips, combine photos, add animated text, and even insert stickers or transitions without downloading anything. Once finished, sharing was simple with a direct URL and embed code.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Free tier available

  • Automatic subtitle generation

  • Fast performance

  • User-friendly interface

  • 100% browser-based editing

Cons:

  • Glitchy performance reported

  • Export issues at times

  • Large watermark in the free plan

11. Veed

Why I picked it: It’s fast, clean, and packed with tools that make GIF editing feel effortless right from the browser.

Best for: Beginners and pros looking for quick browser-based GIF creation

OS: Any, web-based

Veed.io lets me turn short video clips into GIFs in minutes. Editing felt smooth, where I could trim, split, loop, or rotate sections, then add captions, drawings, or text effects. I also liked that I didn’t need to install anything, and the free plan gave me plenty of flexibility.

Ratings

4.6/5

Pros:

Cons:

  • The premium plan is pricey

  • Limited customization for advanced edits

Best mobile GIF maker apps

With a phone in everyone’s hand these days and half of the world’s web traffic being generated from mobile, it makes sense that not only would you want to have the ability to make a GIF on the go, but also that strong video-to-GIF apps are available.

Luckily, there are, and we’ll take you through the best GIF makers for Android and iOS that can help you turn video into a GIF in-app and more.

12. GIPHY

Why I picked it: It lets me use AR effects while making GIFs on my phone.

Operating systems: Android and iOS

Best for: Creating GIFs with AR features

I’ve already discussed GIPHY’s online tool above, but some might not know they have a GIF creator app, too. In addition to having access to their massive library, with their GIF animation app, I was able to create GIFs in real time. Plus, there are a whole host of other tools, including some AR features. As a GIF maker app, GIPHY is a solid choice.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Same powerful tools as the online version for creating GIFs

  • Extra features like stickers and augmented reality

  • Integrates as a keyboard extension so users can add GIFs into conversations on iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and other apps

  • Editor’s Choice on Play Store

Cons:

  • Can be glitchy on occasion

  • Searching for a GIF I wanted was a bit tough to find because of the quantity

13. ImgPlay

Why I picked it: I went with ImgPlay because it gave me lots of creative freedom with filters, stickers, and text animations.

Operating systems: Android and iOS

Best for: Lots of filters and text animations

ImgPlay is another GIF-making app that’s worth a look. With a sleek design and an intuitive layout, this animated GIF app shines with various filters, stickers, and editing capabilities that make it a strong choice.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Can shoot videos in-app

  • 30+ filters and color correction for editing, making for aesthetically pleasing results from this GIF photo app

  • Merge multiple videos into one

Cons:

  • Has ads

14. GifMe!

Why I picked it: It’s this simple: GifMe! is one of the few GIF maker apps still available for Windows phones.

Operating systems: Android, iOS, and Windows

Best for: Creating GIFs from imported photos and videos from the camera roll

GifMe! is a nice, no-frills GIF animation app that could quickly turn a video I shot on my phone into a GIF. I could also create GIFs from imported photos and videos from my camera roll and apply filters, stickers, text, and borders.

Ratings

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use GIF editor app

  • Simple interface

  • Can import GIFs to edit from Tenor

  • It’s a GIF maker app for Windows phones

Cons:

  • Options for customization are somewhat constricting

  • Not as intuitive as other apps

Regardless of the type of phone you use, an Apple or Android GIF maker fits the bill.

Needless to say, you have many great options regarding apps, online editors, and GIF animation software, so find what works best for you and have some fun!

How to choose the best GIF maker

Picking the right GIF maker really depends on your style and needs. If I want to edit pixel art or frame-by-frame animations, Piskel is the one I reach for. When I’m after simple online tools, Kapwing and Veed.io make it easy to turn short clips into GIFs without any downloads. On my phone, I prefer ImgPlay because of its filters and text animations. 

But when I need a reliable all-rounder with smooth performance and advanced editing features, I always end up using Movavi Video Converter.

Movavi Video Converter

The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!

Movavi Video Converter

Frequently asked questions

What is a GIF?

For lack of a better way of putting it, a GIF is simply an animated sequence of images. It sounds an awful lot like a video but there is a distinction that you’ll find below. Though there’s a good-natured dispute on pronunciation, what’s for sure is that it’s an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. It’s a bitmap image format that was developed by Steve Wilhite of CompuServe over 30 years ago, back in 1987, to make animated images with the smallest file size possible and save memory.

How does GIF work?

GIFs land somewhere in between video and still images, they’re not exactly one or the other. GIFs work by limiting the colors to a maximum of 256, to reduce file size, and are able to store more than one image file inside the GIF file itself, meaning you can think of a GIF more like a flipbook of images rather than an actual video.

How do I make an animated GIF?

Making a GIF is easier than ever nowadays with plenty of GIF-making programs, GIF-making software, as well as apps, being readily available. In terms of software and programs to download you have options like GiftedMotion and SSuite Gif Animator on the more direct side and tools like GIMP that give you much more creative control. Online editors like GIPHY and Ezgif also make GIF-making a sinch, with no need to download a program.

How do I make a GIF with sound?

By strict definition, GIFs don’t have sound but that doesn’t mean you can’t make something that’s essentially the same thing. To create a GIF with sound, you’d really be making an animation or short video clip. The way how to make a GIF with sound is by using an editing program that allows you to add an audio track to your GIF and export it as a WebM, a file that can be played on web browsers, or MP4, a standard video file.

Can I make a GIF with my iPhone?

You sure can! Making them on your phone is generally an easy process no matter which GIF maker app you decide to use. You can turn images or videos into GIFs in a matter of a few quick steps. Apps like GIPHY, ImgPlay, GIFX, and more allow you to not only convert your content into GIFs but enhance what you upload with text, stickers, filters, and other overlays.

How do I turn a picture into a GIF?

GIFs are primarily thought of as being made from video clips and most of the time that is indeed the case, however, it is possible to make them from images. Essentially all the GIF-making programs you come across from GifMe! to Imgur to Make a Gif will let you start building GIFs from an image.

As far as filetypes though, you might find yourself limited. Conversion software like Movavi Video Converter is an excellent option because it allows you to convert over 180 media formats, including essentially any image format you can think of, and turn them into GIFs.

How do I download a GIF from GIPHY on a PC?

Sometimes you either aren’t in the mood to make a GIF or you know exactly what you’re looking for and find yourself on the massive GIPHY database. How to download a GIF from GIPHY on a PC or Mac once you’ve found what you want is effortless. To download from GIPHY, just right-click on the GIF, click Save image as and rename it to whatever you want since the default filename that comes up will likely be “Giphy”.

How do I edit GIFs in GIMP?

GIMP is a formidable image editing program and as such can seem complicated but using GIMP as a GIF maker or editor doesn’t have to be a brainbuster. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to edit GIFs in GIMP.

  1. Click Open in the File menu and select your GIF, the individual frames of your animated GIF will be made into their own layer.

  2. Select the frame you want to edit.

  3. Make your edits.

  4. Continue with steps 2 and 3 until you’ve finished making changes.

  5. Go back to the File menu and click Export As, click GIF image and check the box for As animation.

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